21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture1 Biblical Perspectives on Policy for Development and Poverty Reduction Colin Poulton

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Presentation on theme: "21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture1 Biblical Perspectives on Policy for Development and Poverty Reduction Colin Poulton"— Presentation transcript:

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21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture1 Biblical Perspectives on Policy for Development and Poverty Reduction Colin Poulton cp31@soas.ac.uk

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21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture2 Outline Prioritising development Development goals Causes of poverty Democracy and Governance The OT law as a model? Final reflections

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21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 3 Prioritising Development God’s heart for the poor Yet: –c.1.4 billion people (20% of world population) live on less than US$1.25 (2005 PPP) per day –20% of world population do not have access to safe drinking water –40% of world population do not have access to basic sanitation facilities –Millions lack access to basic health care or education services …

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Trends in Chronic Income Poverty 21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 4

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Numbers are Still Rising in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa 21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 5

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The Number of Hungry People is Rising 21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture6

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Should development focus on the “bottom billion”? 21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture7

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Adaptation to Climate Change “The key distinction between ‘business-as-usual’ development and adaptation is not necessarily about the types of activities that will be undertaken (which are mostly in the development toolkit already), but about differences in problem definition, the selection of strategies and the setting of problems (WRI, 2007).... A review of adaptation projects in 2007 found that activities on climate change adaptation varied in nature, with some being oriented towards tackling the sources of vulnerability (for example, fairly ‘traditional’ development activities without much focus on climate change), others attempting to build response capacity and manage climate risk (greater consideration of climate change in activities), and others (a limited number) confronting climate change directly (for example, responding to glacial retreat) (ibid.).” Source: Boyd et.al. (2009) in Development Policy Review 27(6) Estimated cost for developing countries to adapt to cope with the consequences of climate change = US$60-80 billion p.a. (Stern 2009)

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21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 13 Means to Development Ends Growth vs social service provision Roles of different actors –State, private sector, NGOs, civil society –Emphasis on “developmental state” for economic development –But same power can be used to oppress minorities, Christians (Open Doors Worldwatch) Governance and democracy

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21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 17 The OT Law as a Model? Land allocated to every tribe, clan and family –Economic right: secure basis for livelihood! –Could not be permanently alienated: Jubilee (Lev 25) –Naboth’s vineyard illustration: 1 Kings 21 Restrictions also on capital markets –Usury laws Some will fall into poverty –Provide for, but don’t exploit (e.g. no interest on loans) Care for the socially excluded commanded –“the alien, the fatherless and the widow” (Deut 24:19) Combination of market and welfare (“big society”?!)

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The OT Law as a Model II Separation of powers King: –Deuteronomy 17:14-20 – bound by (rule of) law –Samuel’s warnings about king: 1 Samuel 8:10-18 Land in hand of elders (tribal chiefs) Courts (see Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 17:8-13) Priests in charge of Temple worship Prophets as independent media! Right relationship with God, as well as within community –Trust and obedience (e.g. Sabbath year), blessing 21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 18

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21/05/2010CARE Institute for Faith and Culture 19 Final Reflections God is in control –He appoints and uproots rulers –James 2:5 Growth of church transforms society Christians are called to be people of hope